Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Cheesy Kale and Black Bean Pasta

I bought a bag of kale, I'm not entirely sure what possessed me when I was in the salad section, but in to the cart went this big ol' bag of kale. I don't really like kale chips which seems to be everyone's suggestion of what to do with this crap  stuff and I don't particularly like it raw (oh baby I like it raw, oh baby I like it raw.. the song, okay never mind). Born out of necessity was this cheap, quick, healthy-ish, cheesy skillet pasta. THAT TURNED ME ON TO KALE.

Recipe:
1 can black beans (rinsed and dried)
1/2 C. red onion (or whatever kind you have on hand), diced
1 T. oil
3 C. of glorious green kale (washed and ready in bite size pieces)
2 C. bow tie pasta (or again, whatever you have)
Salt and pepper to taste

Boil water and cook pasta as directed. I did this while I was making the kale and onions, so it was done pretty much when that was.

In a medium sized skilled heat oil on medium heat for 2-3 mins, add onion and sauté for 2-3 mins, add in kale and cook down until just wilted, add in black beans, turn off heat and set aside.

Roux:
2 T. butter
1 T. flour
1 C. milk
1 C. cheddar (I always use sharp, I figure more cheese flavor for my buck), shredded
1/2 C Gruyere cheese shredded
1 T. buffalo sauce or hot sauce, whatever you have


In a medium sauce pot (I just used the pasta pot after I drained the pasta) heat butter until melted and add in flour, cook for 1 min ( or until just bubbly), slowly add in milk while whisking together and allow mixture to thicken, add in cheese and cook until combined and desired consistency, if you need to add a little more milk, knock yourself out.

Assemble: Dump it together and eat it out of the skillet.. I may had done this, you can be civilized if you want.


Monday, January 12, 2015

Curry Caramelized Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

So, I sort of live off of sandwiches. I feel like you can make so many different variations of a sandwich and not get bored. Also, I live alone and that's a great option to make while wearing minimal clothing and can easily be eaten standing up in the kitchen. Eat it with a bowl of soup and that's a damn good meal.

Recipe:
This made enough for 3 sandwiches.

1 onion, evenly chopped (julienned)
1 Tbsp. Oil ( I used corn)
1 Tsp. Curry powder (more if you dare)
2 Tbsp. Balsamic vinegar
S and P to taste

2 slices of Monterrey jack cheese (or whatever hell kind you want)

Heat oil in medium sized skillet for 2 mins, add onions and caramelize those bad boys. This takes about 20 mins of just continually stirring the onions and letting them brown (but not burn). Towards the end of cooking, add the curry powder and balsamic vinegar until vinegar thickens to a syrupy consistency.
Assemble into a sandwich and toast until cheese is melty.


Shove into face.